What to make of the Kings (or the Queens as Shaq infamously called them…)? The Sacramento Kings are a decent scoring team, 11th in the league, averaging just over 99 points, but they also give up a lot of points, just under 102 points per game, 8th in the league. They shoot a decent percentage (45.6%), but they also let teams shoot at an even better rate (46%). But here’s the thing: If you think the Raptors can’t rebound, wait until you get a load of the Kings. On the boards, they truly are Queens. They are second last in the league, averaging 39.44 rebounds per game and show little interest in battling for any loose balls. They just are not a tough team, which is surprising considering that they have Mikki Moore, who is all about energy, Brad Miller who is all about mixing it up and Ron Artest who is all about, well, Ron Artest.

The thing with the Kings is that their defensive effort is pathetic, led by the one of the most one-sided players you’ll see in the NBA, Mike Bibby. Bibby has no interest in playing defense. None…and whenever it is brought up or when he gets criticized for missing an assignment, he shuts it down. It’s like watching Vince shut his game down back in his Raptors days. The only thing that saves him is that he is also able to turn his offensive game up, attacking the basket and getting hot from outside. But as far as being a great point guard, I still don’t think he passes enough, more apt to pull up for a jumper than take a look for his teammates. He just isn’t a guy who is going to create opportunities and realistically, if he was a bit taller, he would make a pretty good shooting guard.

The great surprise with the Kings has been the play of Kevin Martin, who has pretty much come out of nowhere in the past year and a half, establishing himself as a legit threat every time he touches the ball. He is able to shoot, but also isn’t afraid of attacking the basket, despite his lanky frame. He can create opportunities for himself and even gets on the boards a little bit. The thing with him is that he teams up with Bibby to just vacate the area when it comes to playing defense. It’s like these two have made a pact where they have committed to not playing D.

Speaking of not playing D, it’s too bad that Shareef Abdur-Rahim has been having knee trouble and will not be playing, because he is one of my favourite guys to watch on the court. Not because I think he’s a good player, but because I don’t know if there is a more disinterested player in the league. IF this guy gets touched once, misses a shot, gets beaten on D, take your pick, he just goes away. If he could take the ball and walk off the court, he’d do it. Go home to mum and have his soup. He’s just not a winner. He’s not a guy who you can rely on and probably shouldn’t still be in the NBA. There are lots of guys hanging around in the D-League and who knows where else who would love the opportunity this guy has had.

Anyway, the Raptors should be able to take this one, especially at home. They should be able to get points inside and outside in this one and shouldn’t have much of a problem getting the crowd some pizza. Enjoy the game.